Combined step-ladder and table.



N0. 677,7!4. Patented July 2, I901.

' H. C. STOUT.

COMBINED STEP LADDER AND TABLE.

(Application flled Mar. 29. 1901.;

2 Sheeis$heet I.

(No Model.)

232 2. bk I Patented July 2, I901.

H. c. STOUT. COMBINED STEP LADDER AND TABLE.

(Application filed Mn. 29. 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

7/? V7 gg \(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

III-RAM CLAYTON STOUT, OF ALLIANCE, OHIO.

COMBINED STEP-LADDER AND TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 677,714, dated July 2, 1901. Application filed March 29,1901. Serial No. 53,425. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM CLAYTON STOUT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Step-Ladder and Table, of which the following is a specification;

I haveimproved the step-ladder in particulars of construction, whereby it is rendered useful, by novel attachments for different work in domestic uses, and the precise improvements will be pointed out in the claim hereto appended, in connection with the drawings, in which Figure 1 represents the step-ladder as its parts are adjusted to receive and support an ironing-board, a work-table, or to form a washbench. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the stepladder, showing a slotted slidable pivoted part set in position to support a bucket. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the ladder adjusted as in Fig. 1, with an ironing-board in place. Fig. 4 shows the step-ladder folded.

The side bars 1 of the ladder are connected by steps and by a cross-cap 2, and to the side bars at their top are pivoted the supportinglegs 3, connected by cross-bars 4 in the usual manner, as in Fig. 2; A frame composed of connected bars 5 is pivoted to the legs, so as to be folded between them, the free end of the frame having hooks to engage eyes in one of the steps on the ladder-bars, so to brace the ladder when in use. The bars of this braceframe are formed with teeth 6, for a purpose which I will presently state. To the ladderbars a frame 7 is pivoted at 8, mediately of its length, its ends connected by cross-bars 9 9, so as to allow it to be folded over the outer sides of the ladder-bars and to be held when so folded parallel with them by the arrange ment of the cross-bars 9, the one at the outer end of the frame to engage'the outer side of the stepped ladder and the other cross-bar at the inner end of the said frame 7 arranged to engage the inner side of the ladder, whereby said frame is caused to retain its parallel position with the stepped-ladder part, as in Figs. 2 and 4c. This pivoted frame 7 is of a length a little less than that of the ladder-bars and forms a feature of my improvement, for a purpose which I shall presently state. Near that the slotted ends of the side bars will en-,

gage the cross-bar 9 at the inner end of the pivoted leg-frame, whereby this bucket-support is securely held in horizontal position when the step-ladder is used, as in Fig. 2,- while its arrangement between the legs allows it to be folded out of the way when the legs of the ladder are set and supported in a horizontal position to receive an ironing board or table, as in Figs. 1 and 3. In this folded position this slotted frame is drawn the length of its slot outward from the pivoted ends of the legs and its free end is engaged with a cross-pin 13 in the legs to hold it in position, as in Fig. 3.

The function of the frame 7, which is pivoted mediately of the stepped ladder-bars, is seen in Fig. 3, wherein it forms a secondary leg-frame and is set to form a horse with the stepped ladder-bars, and in this function it cooperates with the pivoted brace-frame 5 of the ladder as a means of supporting the ladder-legs 3 in a horizontal position to receive an ironing board or table 14. This support is elfected by the engagement of the crossbar 9 of the pivotal frame 7 with the teeth 6 of the bars ofthe brace-frame, the teeth for this purpose standing inward toward the pivoted end of said brace. In this engagement it. will be understood that the leg-frame 3 rests upon the cross-bar 9, so that there is no upward force on this toothed frame 5. It will be noted that the teeth 6 of this frame 5 are not close together, so thatthe teeth being made of wood will have sufiicient body and strength to render their engagement with the cross-bar 9 safe.

As an additional means for adjusting the height of the ironing board or table the edges of the ladder-legs may also be formed with teeth 15, standing in the same direction as the teeth of the pivoted frame 5, as in Fig. 1. It is by the teeth 6 of the pivoted frame 5 that the ironing board or table is supported at its highest-position and by the teeth 15 in the ladder-legs that the board is set and sustoo tained at its lowest position, and in this highest adjustment the free end of the pivoted toothed frame 5 will rest upon the cross-bar 9 of the secondary leg-frame 7. The ironing board or table is provided with cleats 16, which when the board is used engage with cross-bars 4: of the ladder-legs, as in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that when the device is used as a table the leg-frame 3 forms the tablesnpport, while the stepped ladder part 1 and the secondary leg-frame 7 form the table-legs. It is also important to note that both the brace-frame 5 and the slotted frame 10 arecross-bar 9 of the secondary leg-frame has a sharp edge to make engagement with the notches in the leg-frame of the ladder.

Obviously the slotted bucketrsupporting frame 10 may be engaged when in use with one of the steps or other fixed stop part of the ladder part; but I prefer to make such engagement with the cross-bar 9 of the secondary leg-frame, because such engagement serves to hold the latter parallel with the ladder-bars when the ladder is set for use, as in Fig. 2.

I claim I A step-ladder comprising the stepped part, the leg-frame pivotally connected thereto and the bars of which have notches, a braceframe having teeth and pivoted to the leg-frame, a secondary leg-frame of side bars pivoted mediately of their length to the outer sides of the stepped part, the bars of said secondary leg-frame connected at their opposite ends by cross-bars arranged to engage the outer and the inner sides of the stepped part, the primary leg part having pivoted thereto a slotted slidable frame arranged to be supported in a horizontal position by the secondary frame and the said toothed frame 5 and the notched leg-frame 3 arranged for engagement with the inner cross-bar of the secondary leg-frame in the way and for the purpose stated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HIE AM CLAYTON STOUT.

l/Vitnesses:

MAME C. Fonnmc, DAVID FORDING. 

